Inclusive Labour Markets, Labour Relations and Working Conditions Branch (INWORK) provides technical assistance to ILO constituents and expands the knowledge base on Wages, Working Time, Working Conditions, Collective Bargaining and Labour Relations, Contractual arrangements and Labour Market Security. INWORK also leads activities on the formalization of the informal economy and coordinates the ILO Strategy to Make Decent Work a Reality for Domestic Workers. The Branch’s work covers the interplay among these key labour market institutions and their combined effect on worker protection, labour market performance and equality.

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The unemployment rate is a key labour market indicator, but it has many shortcomings which we must take into account when interpreting it. The Quick guide on interpreting the unemployment rate provides helpful information on all the main aspects underlying this headline indicator and its limitations. It also provides tips to communicate effectively on the unemployment rate.

This working paper reviews one approach for realizing the goal of improving labour standards at the lower rungs of supply chains that has to date received relatively little scholarly attention: substantive, enforceable agreements between lead firms and unions or worker-based organizations.